Predictors of Fetal and Maternal Outcome in the Crucible of Hepatic Dysfunction During Pregnancy

BACKGROUND Hepatic dysfunction during pregnancy places both the mother and the fetus at risk. Investigations which are efficient, cost effective and easily available for prognostication are required to tackle this global problem. We studied the etiologies and evaluated investigations for predictive efficiency. METHODS One hundred ninety-seven pregnant women with hepatic dysfunction during pregnancy were identified. All patients were followed up till 8 weeks after termination of pregnancy or death. Clinico-demographic, biochemical and hematological data were collected and analyzed. RESULTS One hundred ninety-seven of 6,122 females had abnormal liver function tests. Pre-eclampsia (57%), eclampsia (19%), HELLP syndrome (8%), viral infection (6%), hyperemesis gravidarum (5%), intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (4%), chronic liver disease (1%) and sepsis were encountered. There were 41 fetal deaths, 42% preterm deliveries, and NICU admission rate was 27%. Five maternal deaths occurred. Maternal anemia, thrombocytopenia, hyperbilirubinemia and coagulopathy were statistically significant in adverse fetal outcomes. Serum bilirubin performed better than INR as a predictor of both maternal and fetal outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Hepatic dysfunction during pregnancy is associated with adverse events for both the mother and the fetus and hypertensive disorders remain the major cause. Maternal bilirubin levels and INR have a role in predicting adverse feto-maternal outcome.